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When I discuss mistakes that officials make, I do so as a teaching tool. It is never done with the intention of embarrassing someone and certainly with no malice.
The sequence that unfolded late in the second period of last night's game at Madison Square Garden between the New York Rangers and Florida Panthers is something that should never happen at any level but especially not at the top.
This is the play in question: Referee TJ Luxmore would up drifting inside the crease as it initially seemed that New York goalie Henrik Lundqvist was about to freeze the puck. Next, Rangers defenseman Marc Staal turned a puck over, resulting in a scramble around the goalmouth and the puck went to Florida's Jussi Jokinen with a (mostly open) net. The only obstacle with the official. Luxmore showed good athleticism to jump up and avoid the shot, which hit the post and stayed out of the net. The official nearly landed on a lunging and stickless Lundqvist's blocker-side hand in the process.
Ref in the crease trying to stop the puck from going in...Jokinen hits the post on a wide open net. pic.twitter.com/mIdcuqB8jz
— Cats on the Prowl (@Cats0ntheprowl) March 22, 2016
This should never happen. Referees certainly should go to the net but be behind or adjacent to it. They should never enter the crease. Only bad things can result.
First of all, from a sheer safety perspective, Luxmore put himself and then Lundqvist -- who has every right and expectation to make a save attempt, of course -- in danger. It was a good thing the official landed on the top side of thick blocker and not on the goalie's fingers or hand on the underside. The referee himself could have been injured by putting himself in harm's way. There also could have been a collision in the crease, which is the goalie's space to defend, especially with the puck arriving.
Secondly, the official ended up directly affecting the play. Yes, sometimes this happens accidentally when a puck deflects and there is no chance to avoid it, but this was a careless instance. Jokinen's shot attempt was probably altered by trying to avoid hitting Luxmore with the shot and putting it inside the post.
Lastly, where Luxmore put himself in searching for the puck did not give him the best chance at making a correct call in the first place. His intentions were good but the whole thing never should have happened.
All the way around, this play was bad news. I don't want to pile on Luxmore -- who no doubt has already gotten bawled out and no doubt knew he'd messed up even as the nighmarish sequence was unfolding. However, as mess-ups go, this was one where the Panthers and Rangers alike had a legitimate beef. When that happens, you have to face the music.
The whole thing reflects badly on the NHL from a level of coaching, hockey sense and common sense. This cannot happen again, whether with the same official or another one.
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Congrats to Derek Zuckerman & Bryan Hicks, James Shea & Kyle Smiley for their work at NCAA Women's Championship game. pic.twitter.com/COoi2OFR0S
— Paul Stewart (@PaulStewart22) March 22, 2016
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Paul Stewart holds the distinction of being the first U.S.-born citizen to make it to the NHL as both a player and referee. On March 15, 2003, he became the first American-born referee to officiate in 1,000 NHL games.
Today, Stewart serves as director of hockey officiating for the ECAC at both the Division 1 and Division 3 levels.
The longtime referee heads Officiating by Stewart, a consulting, training and evaluation service for officials. Stewart also maintains a busy schedule as a public speaker, fund raiser and master-of-ceremonies for a host of private, corporate and public events. As a non-hockey venture, he is the owner of Lest We Forget.